What does pothole mean?
A pothole is a hole or depression in a road surface, usually produced by repeated traffic, weathering, water damage, or the gradual collapse of the material beneath the pavement. Potholes can be shallow and uneven or deep enough to damage vehicles, and they are especially associated with roads in poor condition. The term is also used more broadly for cavities in other hard surfaces. As a verb, “to pothole” is an informal British expression for travelling or driving over a badly damaged road, though the noun is far more widely used in both British and American English. The word is memorable because it combines the ordinary words “pot” and “hole”: in this compound, “pot” refers to a cavity or hollow, while “hole” identifies the opening in the road. The word is useful when describing road conditions, municipal repairs, vehicle damage, or the everyday experience of navigating imperfect infrastructure.
A hole or depression in a road surface, often caused by wear, weather, or the collapse of the underlying ground.
"The driver swerved to avoid a pothole."
The word is standard in British and American English and is often used in road-maintenance and transport contexts.
To travel or drive over a road containing potholes, especially in informal British usage.
"We potholed across town after the heavy rain."
This use is primarily informal and is much more common in British English than in American English.
The regular plural is used for individual openings in roads and other surfaces.
"The council reported dozens of potholes across the county."
Its name is deceptively domestic: a pothole is literally a pot-like cavity in the road.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pothole come from?
“Pothole” is an English compound formed from “pot” and “hole.” The word developed in the sense of a cavity or hollow in the ground and was later applied to holes in roads. The verb developed in the sense of travelling over a road filled with potholes. The compound reflects the older use of “pot” for a deep hole or hollow, a sense related to the word “pottery.”
Related word forms
How pothole is actually used
The noun is common in British and US English. The verb is especially associated with informal British usage and can imply driving over a badly maintained road. In American English, the noun is much more common than the verb.
Easily confused with pothole
A hole is a general opening or depression, while a pothole is specifically an opening or depression in a road surface.